Statement by Comptroller Brad Lander on January 6 Anniversary and Corporate Responsibility to Defend Democracy

(New York, NY) – On the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander joined calls for accountability from companies that have funded lawmakers who sought to overturn free and fair elections. Since January 6, 2021, 717 corporations have funneled over $18 million to members of Congress who voted to overturn the will of the people in 2020. Comptroller Lander praised corporate accountability efforts by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who today announced several shareholder resolutions, as well as a campaign launched today by unions and advocacy organizations to push asset management companies to take a stronger stance on defending democracy.

“The threat to democracy is a threat to the entire economy. As someone with responsibility for $270 billion in pension fund assets to pay for the retirement of New York City’s workers, I see the threat to democracy as one of the biggest systemic risks we face as investors.

“I applaud the efforts of New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to encourage companies to disclose political spending, and will join with fellow institutional investors in calling on companies to disclose and align any political spending with their long-term strategy and interests. And I commend the efforts of SEIU, Color of Change, Community Change, Majority Action, and MoveOn to urge asset management companies to do their part in insisting that corporations follow through on their promises to confront racism and defend democratic rights.

“Any contributions corporations make to lawmakers who undermine democracy give rise to political instability, undermine economic stability and long-term economic growth – and therefore run counter to our interests as shareholders and as citizens.”

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